HI OLD FOLKS! I sometimes look at the list of people who still check in here occasionally. We see you watching, Mr. -- &Mrs.! -- "Joined in XXXX 2004" but haven't posted shit in years.
I like that you still watch, tho. It's kinky.


Anyway, we seem to be diving into INTERESTING FUCKING TIMES, yeah? Yee fuckin' haw, baby, With the stock market crashing and everybody over the age of 60 having a gun pointed at their head -- and everybody over the age of 35 thinking "where's that cutoff?!" -- this has the makings of a Wild Fuckin' Ride.
Just read a really great article in WaPo. The author makes some fucking excellent points [edited for brevity, emphasis mine, you should read the whole thing]:
She's absolutely right, regardless of how this all plays out.M.L. Norris @ WaPo wrote:...From the strength of our economy to the reliability of our political leadership to our individual resilience, we are all now in a crucible that will have profound consequences for how we work and how we act as citizens and neighbors.
We will be measured on our ability to handle adversity and uncertainty. On our ability to put the interests of the group ahead of any individual. It sounds easy, but it won’t be. As a nation, we have not been asked to sacrifice in a very long time. This will test our patience and our mettle.
...
You wanted disruption? Here it comes. It’s on your back, at your doorstep and in your head as you count your canned goods and unused vacation days and try to figure out how you can keep your family and sanity in one piece.
Our fidelity to our neighbors will also be tested. Will we share supplies if the family next door runs out? Will we even answer the door? Our commitment to larger society will be measured, too. Each of us will have to take small steps to ensure the greater good.
...
We are going to get a clearer definition of what the word essential really means. We are going to learn a thing or two about all the people who are willing to raise their hands and suit up in protective gear to deliver food and medicine to shut-ins, or report for their shifts as police officers, firefighters, public-works employees or garbage collectors.
...
This is a test we need to pass.
We -- 'Murika, to be clear -- haven't taken a real beating in a long, long time. Last time we really had to deal with real in-CONUS hardship was the Great Depression. We've dodged the bullet at least since WW2, and arguably since the American Civil War, which ended in 1865. That was the last time we were at the "bodies-in-the-steets" level.
First, it's on some level comforting to know that apparently it doesn't hit kids quite so badly. Not being panicked about my kids removes easily 50% of the "OH FUCK ME" factor. If I thought my kids were in that much danger I'd be setting things on fire. As it is, I'm just inclined to stockpile ammunition in case things go totally sideways and we drift into some post-apocalyptic video game. (Sorry, Pattio. Still love you and want to share a room at DOOM.)
I also know we have some proper Old Farts out there -- lookin' at you, Middie! -- and I expect it's quite a different prospect. We cant' make you (or us!) any younger, so good luck.
But holy hell. They're shutting down the schools to protect the teachers, not the parents. Anybody over the age of apparently 30 should be puckered the fuck up. WaPo reported a >20% lethality rate in anyone over 80 -- the age of my folks, who just moved into a retirement community.
First, I encourage everyone to make good and goddamn sure you know how to find your local Ootmics. I think most of the metro areas know how to keep eyes on each other. If you don't know how to find your local Oomics -- within 100 miles or so -- hit me or Der Golgo and we'll do what we can to help. Inasmuch as possible, put your own facemask on first.
If you think you can help a fellow Ootmic -- or we can help anyone else -- SPEAK THE FUCK OUT. We're obviously just a bunch of moto-geeks, but we're a network. We're not magicians, but goddammit we gotta do what we can. We claim to be what?
WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS. Right?
That counts for something. Sometimes that counts for everything. We can't be gods or fix all problems, but if we can collectively help we we should LIVE UP TO OUR FUCKING IDEALS... whatever the fuck those were. We could never agree.
I've actually handed out a few UTMC "business cards" that stated that. I believe it. I try to, anyway. We have some Genuinely Knowledgeable Folks on here that know real safety protocols, etc. and I'm really hoping y'all will speak the fuck up.
The UTMC has always been the home of the oddball-weirdo who deep down wants to do good. Here's our chance. Look in on your neighbors, and be a good neighbor. Try to take care of yourself and your community. Help those who have struggled with the idea of death. You've probably faced it more times than they have.
Discuss.

--Jaeger